Shoe-fastener.



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SHOE FASTENER.

(Apphcatmn filed. Feb 3, 1900 (No Model) THE NORRIS PETERS co. PNOTO-LITHO" wAsHmufou, g c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SOLOMON GOODMAN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

SHOE-FASTENEF.

SIEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,847,.dated June 19, 1900. Application filed February 3, 1900. Serial No- 3,?66- (No model.)

To a whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SOLOMON GooDMAN,a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Louisville, in the county of J eiferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inShoe- Fasteners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to boots and shoes, and particularly to attachments for automatically retaining the boot or shoe tops closed tight against the leg of the wearer, thus causing the uppers to conform to its contour.

One object of the invention is to produce two metallic members pivoted at one end in such manner that the opposite ends may be swung apart to spread the top of the shoe and to provide in combination therewith a spring for holding the said ends normally parallel. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide means for preventing undue strain or wear on the pivotal pin of said members, said means serving also to limit the movement or swing of the members.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

In describing the invention in detail refer; ence will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, in which-- Figure 1 is a view of the rear of a boot with the invention applied. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the members embodying the invention; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, except that the members are swung apart.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a boot having a a vertical slit 2 extending from the upper edge. At each side ofthe edge of the slit I produce casings by the stitching 3, extending through the lining and outer stock, whether it be leather, cloth, rubber, or other material.

4 and 5 are metallic arms pivotally connected on the pin 6. A spring 7 has its center encircling the pin 6 and its ends bent to engage the arms, said spring exerting pressure in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 3. The lower end of each arm is enlarged, and the enlargement of the arm 4 has a stud 8 riding in a segmental slot 9 of the enlargement of the arm 5. The movement of the arms is limited by the length of the slot, as will be apparent by an inspection of Fig. 3. The head 10 on the stud 8 engages theouter face of the arm in its travel through the slot, and lateral movement of the arms and strain or undue wear on the pin 6 is prevented.

When a boot or shoe is applied to the foot, the top is spread until the foot is in place, and when the top is released it assumes approximately the position shown in Fig. 1, or it at least draws the top in contact with the leg of the wearer, thus alfording a yielding fastening means.

As the arms are rather rigid and are secured to the top, any sagging or breaking of the upper will be preventeda great advantage, which will be appreciated by those who are skilled in theart.

The construction, operation, and advantages will, it is thought, be understood'from the foregoing description, it being noted that the invention may be applied to either boots or shoes, that the boots or shoes may be of any material, and that the proportions and details of construction may be varied for successfully carrying the invention into practi cal use without departing from the scope of the claims. 1

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A boot or shoe having a slit extending from the top, a fastener comprising two mmbers pivoted together, the said members lying on either side of the slit, a spring encircling the pivot of the members and having angular ends taking into said members, a stud on one member having a head, said stud traveL ing in a segmental slot of the opposite memher with the head engaging the outer surface berg said stud having a head adapted to en= of said member. gage the outer surface ofthe slotted member. [0 2. In a boot or shoe fastening, two mem-' In testimony whereof I affix my signature bers pivoted together with their free ends lye in the presence of two witnesses; 5 ingin casings on opposite sides of a slit, a SOLOMON GOODMAN.

spring for exertinga pressure to hold the slit v Witnesses: normally closed, and a stud on one member ALBERT A. STOLL,

' riding in a segmental slot of the opposite mem MINNIE M. POPE. 

